We recognise that these are challenging times for our clients, and we will regularly provide advice and updates on how to deal with the coronavirus crisis. Use the links below to take you to the most recent articles from our team on the legal, regulatory and commercial implications of the current disruption.

Legal Insights

What is it? This Scheme is another emergency measure to address loss of income caused by the Coronavirus outbreak. It allows the self-employed to apply for a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month, for the next 3 months....

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Government has updated its guidance on the operation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the Scheme). This follows the publishing of formal directions from the Treasury to HMRC on the operation of the Scheme on 15 April 2020. This advice note is kept under review but does not constitute legal... ...

The impact of coronavirus is being felt by everyone and there are various measures being put in place to assist businesses (and Companies House) to deal with the disruption. The following updates from Companies House should be considered by businesses: Companies will be given an additional 3 months to file accounts with Companies House to... ...

Residential Mortgage payers who are facing financial difficulty due to coronavirus are to be offered payment holidays of up to three months, the government has announced. This also applies to buy to let mortgages over residential properties. Chancellor Rishi Sunak made the announcement on Tuesday 17 March as part of emergency measures designed to... ...

From 29 February 2020 Covid-19 has been listed as a notifiable disease in Northern Ireland. Since then, the severe impact of Covid-19 has been felt by businesses across Northern Ireland as they deal with the government and public health guidelines, most notably in the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors. Following a press conference on 16... ...

The UK Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, targeted measures to support businesses through the disruption caused by COVID-19. Businesses of all sizes will have access to a package of Government-backed loans and guarantees, with further capacity should it be required....

In response to the Covid-19 epidemic Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced that all businesses in Northern Ireland will pay zero rates in the next three months and the issuing of rates bills has been deferred from April until June. The Minister has acknowledged, however, that in current circumstances rates relief alone will not sustain... ...

Unfortunately, it’s becoming clear that the Covid-19 outbreak will adversely affect the execution and completion of construction projects in Northern Ireland. Disruption is already being experienced in obtaining the delivery of goods and materials, as well as on the availability of the workforce currently engaged by contractors. The extent and duration of these impacts is... ...

The temporary closure of premises in the hospitality industry is already well documented. Many more will be considering a temporary shutdown or restricted trading hours. Among the myriad considerations for such businesses will be the impact of the closure on what is a valuable and core asset – the liquor licence. Liquor licences trade... ...

With the increasing spread of COVID-19, many businesses will be alive to statements such as that released by Stormont that we simply cannot operate ‘business as usual’ in this unprecedented time. Whilst it is inevitable that most businesses will face disruption in some form, be that as a result of limited face-to-face interactions or employees... ...